On Michael Bourn
The outfielders are dropping off the free agent market and the Phillies need one. Michael Bourn is still available. But at what cost?
On Michael Bourn
Ryan Lawrence, Daily News Staff Writer
Charlie Manuel was asked about what he thought the No.1 priority was for the Phillies this winter, a winter in which management has stood on the sidelines so far rather than aggressively attack the free agent market.
"The No. 1 priority is probably center field," Manuel said Wednesday at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
Asked to explain what he was looking for in that player, Manuel emphasized defense. The first name he mentioned was a guy who played for him as a rookie, before he was traded away.
Michael Bourn.
Fittingly, Scott Boras, Bourn's agent, was holding court outside of the room where Manuel was holding his own press gathering.
Outfielders have been paid well this winter (see Shane Victorino, B.J. Upton and Angel Pagan). So how does that market impact Bourn?
"I think the value of a player is representative to his standing among his peers," Boras said. "So when you take out the metrics of the game and the performance… the great thing about Michael is his consistency is greater than all. His defensive acumen is, there’s just a huge separation between him and every other player at that position.
"And offensively he provides the leadoff spot. And I think if you have center field, and you have leadoff... there aren’t many of those in the game. And those all add premiums to him that most of the other players in the market don’t have."
Translation: Boras still expects Bourn to get more than the 5 years, $75.25 million that Upton received from Atlanta.
Since the Phils were outbid by the Braves for Upton, it doesn't seem likely they're a fit for Bourn either. But with two months until spring training, perhaps there is time for things to change.
What do we need Bourn for? We have Mayberry, Brown and Ruf. Let's not forget Kevin Frandsen at 3rd and Eric Kratz at catcher! I am more concerned about how we plan on replacing Herndon.— AreaMan- Great comment, Area Man. Laughed my a@# off when I first read it. Then I read it again and got depressed,
— eastender - I guess Manuel envisions Bourn as a decent 7th or 8th hitter in his lineup, seeing that there's no way on God's green earth Mumbles will drop J-Pop from the leadoff spot.— Sam Crow
- A 32-year-old whose game is based on speed is good for about 3 more years, not 5. I doubt the Phils will come up with the years or money that Bourn is likely seeking. (I'm guessing he wants 5 years for $100 mil.) Nor should they.
But we can hope that Boras overplays his hand with Bourn as he did last year with Madson. Maybe then the Phils can get lucky.— DPinDC - with Utley on his last year, i think the phils should be pursuing Hamilton or someone else via trade. Utley's bat is on its way out. Hamilton is one of the best hitters in the game, even better than J. Upton or Stanton(whose not available anyway). but it's looking like Cody Ross. phils also need to pick up Youkilus if healthy and get a real 8th inning pitcher like Villanueva.
- Manuel knows he gone after next season and maybe during the season. Accordingly, he doesn't give one hoot how much the team pays for a player like Bourn.— sonnybuoy01
- Bourn is NOT a player to sign for 4-5 years....even 3 is probably stretching it. And definitely not for the money he is seeking. Move on Rube, forget what Charlie wants, he's only managing the team for one more year.— MrPhillie
- for $25 million/yr let Howard play CF— warbiscuit
- I guess no one asked Manuel where he would bat Bourn in the lineup.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- good to see Clueless Rube working diligently to strengthen bullpen, 3rd base, infield, outfield... watching the imbecile at non-work is quite elucidating ... but could be worse for alas at this poijnt he was busy adding such brilliant players like Dontrelle Willis, Pineiro, Wigginton, Qualls, etc --- cementing his reputation as biggest imbecile in sports— warbiscuit
- do not over pay for bats— hannigan
- why not? hitters are the rarest commodity in baseball. hitters like pujols, ARod, Cabrera are invaluable. real hitters are what win World Series. they are the Man against the best pitchers and relief pitchers in the game when all the 2nd tier hitters are getting beat. Hamilton performed some serious heroics already under great pressure. looks like he's gonna cost too much for Rube, though i think you could do 5 at 125, but he might cost more.
- War biscuit is a depressed person. RAJ has acquired Halladay, Lee, Pence, Oswalt, and signed JRoll back at a good price. Look at what all these guys are getting now. Everyone liked those deals at he time. Hey we're trying to win another title. Just go be miserable and don't watch if you have so much hate. You mention all the players that were given no $$$, just low risk plays that all teams take risks on. What a tool.— cdedrick05
- Worley for Ellsbury.— DoctorLoads
